The apostle Paul said, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11

Wow, what an amazing sentence to be able, not only to say, but to live sincerely.  I hear a lot of whining and complaining, sometimes coming out of my mouth, but often around me when I’m out and about.  There are troublesome things outside of us that we don’t have much control over, such as, prices, crime, traffic, weather, social problems and politics, but there are also a lot of personal things, such as, jobs, bosses, husbands, wives, children, etc.  Do any of those things ring a bell?  We all have our own situations going on, our own microclimate so to speak.  And yet, Paul said, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”   What does it mean to be able to say that I have learned to be content?  It means:

• I believe that all things that God allows to come my way come from my completely loving Father who only desires my eternal wellbeing.
• Therefore, everything that happens in my life is absolutely and only for my good, even apparently negative events and situations.

Because this is true, it requires of me:

• Complete trust in Him
• The total letting go of fears, worries and anxiety
• My love and devotion to loving and serving such a being that only considers what would be best for my life.

Thinking of Paul’s life, he was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and thrown in jail among other things.  Wow, I can’t say that I have attained to such a perfect attitude in regards to everything that has happened and is happening in my life.  Some situations have been hard and others will continue to be difficult.  And yet, …

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

So, how does that translate into our daily lives?

• Say goodbye to complaining
• No  more bad attitudes

Recently, I went to a memorial service for a dear friend who passed away.  There were several people who gave testimonials about her life.  One person said that my friend never had a bad word, ever, to say about anyone.  Several talked about her constant thoughtfulness and caring attitude.  Another talked about overhearing her praying in her office.  She was always happy, kind, and fun to be with.  In other words, she was ready to pass into the next life where the angels don’t complain about anything and don’t dare to bring railing accusations, even against the evil one.

So, in the end, we see that Paul’s simple statement is really much more than a simple statement.  It is a way of life that we need to build on day by day.  I can only stop complaining about what’s going on in my life today and look for the good.  Rainy day?  It’s good for me.  My boss is angry?  Okay, what can I learn from this?  Can’t pay my rent?  What is God showing me?  How is He leading me through this?  Life comes hard at us sometimes.  Sometimes troubles heap up in multiples and last a long time. However, even in our most troubled days, we can, one day at a time, build such an attitude and as we go along, it quietly becomes our life.  It is possible to begin to see that all of it, every bit of it, has our Father’s loving fingerprints on it, drawing us closer to Him day by day, until at last we can say, “Thank you, dear, sweet, loving and kind Lord.  Even in my darkest days, you were there, building up my relationship with you.”

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.  Jeremiah 31:3

Enjoy this song, The Goodness of God, sung by Cece Winans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sE5kEnitqE